Ignition distributor (VW Golf 1)

Removal - all engines

1. Disconnect the ground wire from the battery, turn the crankshaft so as to bring the piston of cylinder No.1 to TDC at the end of the compression stroke (see chapter "Engine adjustment"), then remove the distributor cap. The rotor should be directed towards the contact of the spark plug wire of the 1st cylinder.

2. Disconnect the condenser wires and vacuum tube. On vehicles with electronic ignition, disconnect the connector of the idle speed stabilizer (module) and transistor unit.

3. Unscrew the ignition distributor mounting bolts - three bolts on the 1.1/1.3 l engine (figure D:15) or one clamp bolt on 1.5/1.6/1.8L engines (figure D:16). Carefully remove the distributor from the engine, noting the position of the rotor - if necessary, mark the housing before removing.

CAUTION: It may be necessary to rotate the distributor housing to remove it.

Installation - engines 1.1/1.3

1. Make sure that the piston of cylinder No.1 is in the TDC position at the end of the compression stroke.

2. Mark the position of the asymmetrical distributor drive coupling in the cylinder head and turn the distributor shaft so that during installation the coupling slot aligns with the protrusions on the distributor shaft (figure D:17).



3. Insert the distributor, aligning its shaft with the asymmetric drive coupling.

4. After installation, the rotor should point to the spark plug wire contact of cylinder #1 on the cover, as well as to the mark on the distributor housing (A, figure D:15).

5. Fix the distributor in this position, replace the distributor cover and connect the capacitor and wires.

6. Connect the battery, start the engine and adjust the ignition timing using a strobe lamp (see chapter "Engine adjustment").

7. Fully tighten the distributor mounting bolts and connect the vacuum pipe.

The information is posted on this website: www.vwmanual.ru

Installation - engines 1.5/1.6/1.8 l

If the crankshaft position has been changed, the timing marks must be aligned before installing the distributor. Remove the TDC sensor or plastic plug from the hole in the upper part of the clutch housing. Turn the crankshaft until the TDC mark ("0") on the flywheel or drive disk is aligned with the pointer in the hole. The mark on the camshaft sprocket should be level with the upper edge of the cylinder head, as shown in Figure D:18. If this is not the case, turn the crankshaft one full revolution and check the alignment again. When the marks are aligned, the piston of cylinder No.1 is set to the TDC position at the end of the compression stroke.




On early models, there is no mark on the camshaft sprocket. Remove the valve cover and rotate the engine so that the lobes of both cylinder #1 cams on the camshaft are facing up.

Install the oil pump drive shaft so that the slot on the end of the shaft is parallel to the crankshaft axis.

Make sure the gasket (sealing washer) on the distributor flange in good condition and correctly positioned. Install the distributor rotor so that it aligns with the mark on the housing made when removing the distributor, then install the distributor by inserting the projection on the end of the distributor shaft into the slot in the drive shaft of the oil pump. When installing, the rotor should turn slightly and align with the groove on the edge of the distributor housing (figure D:19). If alignment does not occur, remove the distributor and install it again, after slightly turning the rotor.



Secure the distributor with the clamp plate and bolt. Attach the vacuum hose and the high and low voltage wires. On contactless ignition distributors, connect the connector of the wires coming from the control unit, then set the ignition timing as described in Chapter "Engine adjustment". Finally tighten the clamp plate bolt.

Repair

All early model engines are fitted with a standard Bosch breaker distributor (except for some 1.1L engines with Ducellier distributor). Later models of 1.5, 1.6 and 1.8 L engines are equipped with an electronic ignition system with a Hall sensor.

In most cases of wear or damage to distributor parts (shaft, centrifugal ignition timing adjuster weights), especially after a high mileage of the car, it is most economical to replace the distributor assembly.

The only easily replaceable part of the distributor is the upper bearing plate, located at the top of the distributor and secured with two screws to the distributor housing or to a plate held in the housing by a retaining ring (drawing D:20 and D:21). The upper bearing plate must be removed to replace the breaker contacts - see chapter "Engine adjustment".





The rest of the distributor is a non-separable unit, and if worn, the distributor should be replaced with a new one.